As Tears Go By (1988)

As Tears Go By (1988)

Year: 1996

Runtime: 102 min

Language: Hebrew

Director: Kar Wai Wong

DramaRomanceCrime

A tender drama set in 1960s London, the film explores the evolving relationship between a young apprentice bus driver and his stern, emotionally distant father. The son grapples with anxiety and struggles to pass his driving test, which becomes a symbol of his broader challenges in connecting with his father and finding his place in the world. Through everyday moments and heartfelt encounters, they confront their individual struggles and ultimately find a path toward understanding and connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – As Tears Go By (1988) (1996)

Trace every key event in As Tears Go By (1988) (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Wah's Debt Collection

Wah, a seasoned mob enforcer, makes his rounds in Hong Kong's criminal underbelly. He fiercely confronts an unwilling borrower, illustrating his dominance in the debt-collection business.

Hong Kong
2

News from Aunt

Wah receives an unexpected call from his aunt, informing him that his younger cousin, Ngor, is arriving for medical treatment. Ngor works at her family's restaurant on Lantau Island and has never met Wah before.

3

Wah's Painful Encounter

After meeting Ngor, Wah visits his girlfriend Mabel, only to be blindsided by her news of an unplanned pregnancy. His emotional detachment leads her to decide on an abortion, leaving Wah in a state of self-loathing.

4

Family Tension

Feeling distressed, Wah lashes out at Ngor when she tries to cheer him up. He later apologizes and invites her out for a movie, seeking to mend their strained relationship.

5

Fly's Recklessness

Fly, Wah's incompetent apprentice, finds himself in deep trouble due to his reckless spending and a desperate need to repay a debt to Tony. A botched snooker bet leads to disastrous consequences.

6

Violent Repercussions

After attempting to escape from Tony's gang, Fly and his friend Site face brutal repercussions. They experience the harsh realities of the criminal world when Fly returns, beaten and distressed.

7

Confrontation with Tony

Wah meets Tony to discuss the situation regarding Fly's debts. Tony chillingly tells Wah that Fly would be dead if he weren't his friend, pushing Wah to confront the dangerous dynamics surrounding him.

8

Descent into Crime

Wah resorts to stealing from a protected establishment, inviting the wrath of its owner. This decision shows the extent to which Wah is willing to go to support Fly and the escalating risks he faces.

9

Job Offer for Fly

Understanding Fly's unsuitability for the criminal life, Wah finds him a legitimate job selling fishballs from a street cart. This opportunity embodies Wah's attempt to distance Fly from violence and chaos.

10

Rekindling Connections

As Wah helps Ngor at her family’s restaurant, their bond strengthens. However, Tony's taunts about Fly's new job stir Fly's jealousy, leading to further complications.

11

Fly's Revenge

Provoked by Tony's insults, Fly vandalizes Tony's car, prompting a violent escalation. This reckless move reflects Fly's desperation to prove himself but puts him in grave danger.

12

Wah's Dilemma

When Tony calls Wah to pay for Fly's freedom, Wah is faced with a choice. Choosing to stand up to Tony, he surprises both himself and Tony, leading to Fly's release with a stern warning.

13

Fly’s Death

In an unfortunate turn of events, Fly attempts a hit on an informant but fails to kill his target, leading to a hail of police gunfire. The chaos culminates in Fly’s tragic demise, shaking Wah to his core.

14

Wah's Reflection

With Fly's life hanging in the balance, Wah contemplates his own morality as the situation escalates. Memories of Ngor flood his mind, illustrating the fragility of life amidst the violence surrounding them.

15

Tragic End

In a haunting moment, Wah pulls the trigger on the informant, symbolizing his complete descent into the violent criminal world. As he lies dying, visions of Ngor remind him of the kindness he has forsaken.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 18:20

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Crime dramas with doomed loyalty like As Tears Go By (1988)

Brotherhood and honor tested by the brutal, inescapable realities of crime.For viewers who liked the tragic brotherhood in As Tears Go By, this thread features movies that explore similar themes of fierce loyalty within the criminal underworld. These films often feature a central protector figure, a reckless charge, and a narrative that leads toward a violent, heartbreaking conclusion.

fatalistictensebroodingviolentdoomedmelancholicgritty

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a central, more grounded character who feels a deep sense of duty to protect a more volatile, reckless friend or sibling. Their attempts to navigate or escape their violent environment are constantly undermined by this loyalty, pushing the story toward an inevitable, often fatal, climax that underscores the futility of their struggle.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their focus on the theme of loyalty as both a virtue and a fatal flaw within a high-stakes criminal setting. They share a dark tone, high intensity from violent confrontations, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the tragic arcs of their characters.

Movies with a gritty, melancholic vibe like As Tears Go By (1988)

Stories steeped in a bleak, atmospheric world where hope is a fleeting luxury.If you appreciated the grim atmosphere and melancholic tone of As Tears Go By, this thread collects similar films. These movies are characterized by their depiction of urban decay, a fatalistic mood, and stories where characters struggle against a bleak and unforgiving world.

grittymelancholicbleakbroodingfatalisticurban decaytenseatmospheric

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread are often straightforward, focusing on characters trying to survive or find meaning within a grim, urban landscape. The plot is driven by the tension between fleeting moments of human connection (like romance or friendship) and the crushing pressure of the environment, leading to bittersweet or outright tragic conclusions.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific atmospheric blend: a gritty visual style, a setting of urban decay, and a dominant mood of melancholy and fatalism. The experience is one of immersion in a bleak world, where the tone is consistently dark and the emotional impact is heavy.

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As Tears Go By (1988) Summary

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As Tears Go By (1988) Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in As Tears Go By (1988)

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape As Tears Go By (1988). Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in As Tears Go By (1988)

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As Tears Go By (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary

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